Circuits for automatic fire-indicators.



0. RENNERT. CIRCUITS FOE AUTOMATIC FIRE INDICATORS.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911. 1,090,412, Patented Mar. 17, 1914b 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

o. RBNNERT.

CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE INDIGATORS..

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911.

Patented Mar. 17,191LL 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

0. RENNERT.

CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE INDICATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911.

1,090,41 2. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Fig. 5

STATES A orro Rnmvnnr, or MUNICH, GERMANY.

CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC FIRE-INDICATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mai. 17, 1914..

Application filed May 22, 1911. Serial No. 628,716.

useful Improvements in Circuits for Automatic Fire-Indicators; and I do hereby declare the following to be. a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to improvements in electrically operated fire alarm systems, or the like, and while pertaining to such systerms, it is more particularly'adapted for use in connection with fire extinguishing systems.

An object of the invention is to provide an alarm system of comparatively simple arrangement and one in which a positive actu ation of the danger signals and extinguishing devices is obtained only when a predetermined operating condition is reached.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system which indicates careless or accidental closing of one of the several circuits comprising the system, but, at the same time, does not actuate the danger signals or extinguishing devices until the predetermined operating condition has been reached.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for restoring the entire system to its normal condition after a disturbance or operation of same.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises, primarily, a main controlling circuit consisting of a pair of looped conductors arranged, preferably, in parallel relation, each having connected in series therewith a source of current, a relay and a galvanoscope. the pointers of the latter being deflected and the armature of the relays being attracted if the system is in operative condition. Connected in parallel, between a branch of each of the looped conductors'are a plurality of mercury circuit closers, or thermometers, which are adapted to be adjusted to any desired degree of temperature, and, when such degree of temperature. is reached, complete the circuit through the looped conductors in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. Connected to the terminalsof the relays of the looped conductors are the auxiliary circuits which are provided with a source of current and alarm devices of any suitable type. An

indicating device, preferably a drop annun. ciator, 13 connected from one of its terminals to the main controlling circuits and by the other of its terminals to the auxiliary circuits, and is adapted to indicate a careless or accidental disturbance in the controlling circuit without the operation of the danger signals and fire extinguishing devices.

The invention will be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and will then be pointed out in the appended claims and in which drawings Figure 1 is a'diagrammatical view of the invention in its simplest form. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view of a modified form of the invention, disclosing the adjustment of the system to operate at various degrees of temperature. Fig. 3 isa diagrammatical view of a modified form of the invention as disclosed in Fig. 1. Fig. 'is a diagrammatical view, of a modified .form of the invention, disclosing the alarm system operating in connection with fire extinguishing devices. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view, of a modified form of the invention, disclosing a safety connection to protect the device against illegitimate actuation.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing: a pair of looped conductors 1-1 and 22 are arranged, preferably, in parallel relation with respect to each other and are connected to provide substantially a pair of closed series circuits, each circuit including respectively a source of current B B an auxiliary circuit controlling relay R R and a galvanoscope G G A plurality of thermal circuit closers or thermometers are arranged in parallel and are electrically connected by the conductors 5 to one side of the looped circuit 11 and by the conductors 6' to' one side of the looped circuit 22. Should the circuits be in operative connec tion, the indicators of the galvanoscopes G G will be deflected and the armatures 3 of the relays R R and R are the contacts 8, 9, and 10 which are connected in series, by the conductor 12, with. the indicating device or hell A. The conductor 12 is also connected to the remaining terminal of the battery 13,. 'The positive side of the battery B is connected by the conductor 2,-

through the controlling ey T to the negative side of the circuit 22, while the negative side of the battery B is connected by the conductor 2 to one terminal of the relay R while the remaining terminal of the latter is connected to the negative side of the battery 2 by means of the conductor 2. If the temperature rises to a dangerous point, so that the mercury in the thermal circuit closers or thermometers M M M or M makes contact between the connected sides of the looped circuits 11, 22, and if suchrise of temperature occurs, for the sake of illustration, at the thermometer M current flows from the positive side of the battery B through the conductor 1, the galvanoscope G the relay R the conductor 5, the thermometer M the conductor 6, the negative side of the looped circuit 22, the negative side of the battery 13,, the conductor 2", the relay R and to the negative side of the battery B The armature 4 of the relay R is attracted thus establishing a closed circuit through the battery B and the alarm device A. A disturbance of the system which might be caused by the breaking of a conductor or by failure of currentsupply from either of the batteries B or 13,, an indication of such disturbance will be indicated in the following manner':- If for instance the disturbance occured by failure of the battery B the relay R, is

deenergized and releases its armature 3' which engages the contact 9 thereby closing the following circuit: Current flows from the positive side of battery B through the conductor 12, the contact 9, the armature 3,

from the positive side of the battery B through the conductor 2, the key T, the

,conductor 2', the relay R and the conductor 2 to the negative side of the battery B The relay R attracts 1ts armature 7 against the contact '8 thereby closing thecircuit through the battery B and the alarm device A. In this manner, it can be determined as to the working condition of the system at all times, by closing-the control d key T.

In the modification, Fig. 2, means have been provided for the adjustment of the danger point at which the thermometers may be desired to operate, and said means consist in the connections as illustrated in Fig. 1, being supplemented by an additional looped circuit 1. This looped circuit may be thrown into operation by means of a double contact switch S which is connected into the looped circuit 11. A conductor 5 connects one side of the supplemental circuit to a point, slightly removed from that of the connection 5 from the circuit 11, while a conductor 6 connects one side of the looped circuit 22 to the circuit closers at a point removed from the connection of the conductors 6. If for instance, the conductors 5 (Fig. 1) should be connected to the thermometers M M M and M, at a point whereby the circuit is completed at a thirty (30) degree temperature rise, the conductors 5 (Fig. 2) would be connected, at a point for the completion of the circuit at a higher temperature,-say fifty (50) degrees, so that by throwing the switch S from the terminals of the looped circuit 11 to the terminals of the looped circuit 1 -1, as shown, the alarm would not be operated until the temperature had risen to the higher contact or fifty (50) degrees, and by throwing the switch S to the terminals of the looped circuit 11 the alarm will be operated when a thirty (30) degree rise in temperature is reached. I

In the modification (Fig. 3), provision is made for increasing the range of the system and comprises'an additional current supply B which is connected by the conductor 2 to the positive side of the looped circuit l1 and by the conductor 2" to the negative side of the looped circuit 22. Thus closed circuits are established as follows :1st. From positive terminals of the battery B, through circuit 11 to the negative terminal of the battery 13,. 2nd. From the positive terminal of the battery 13 through the galvanoscope G the relay R the looped circuit 22, all of the thermometers, and back to the negative side of the battery 3rd. From the positive terminal of the battery B by the conductor 2 to the one terminal of the relay R and by the conductor 2" from the other terminal of the relay R back to the negative side of the battery 13,. ,The purposes and operation of these circuits is similar to that as in the connections of Fig. 1. It will be noted that three thermometers or circuit closers have been provided for each compartment or room, which compartments or ro'oms are designated D, E, and F, and that each set of thermometers are provided with conductors leading to a common connection forming one terminal of an auxiliary circuit controlling relays R R and R respectively, which are normally deenergized. The armatures of the relays R R and R are respectively connected by the conductors 18, 19 and 20, to one side of the looped circuit 11, and to corresponding segments 18, 19 and 20 of the plug switch board S. The oppositely arranged segment a and b of the plug switch board S are connected by the other side of the looped circuit 1l. The segments 18, 19 and 20 are connected to the drop annunciator F, E and D, respectively, and which drop annunciators are, by a common connection, connected by the conductor 11 to one terminal of the alarm bell A. A second plug switch board S is connected in a similar manner to the loopedcircuit 2-2, but is not provided with the relay control device as in the first instance. The purpose of which plug switch board will be hereinafter more fully set forth. As an illustration of the operation of the several circuits, should a dangerous increase of temperature occur in the room E, and, for instance, cause the mercury in t e thermometer M to close the circuit therethrough, the following cir-' cuit would be established: Current from the positive side of the battery B would flow through the conductor 2*, the conductor 1 to. the branch connection to the relay R the conductor leading to the thermometer M the conductor 2 and the conductor 2 to the negative side of battery 13,. The completion of this circuit would then establish the following circuit :-C.urrent flows from the positive terminal of the battery B, through the conductor 11, the alarm bell A, the conductor 11, the annunciator drop E, the conductor 19, the armature of the relay R the conductor 12, and back to the negative terminal of the battery 13,. The alarm bell A and the annnnciator drop E will continue to o erate until the contact in the thermometer 11,, is interrupted or until the alarm bell A isdisconnected by a switch. Similar circuits areestablished when either or all of the other thermometers are submitted to the necessary rise in temperature. In view of the breakage of a wire in either of the looped circuits, such circuit may be disconnected from the system by plugging in the proper segments of the switch boards 8,.

and S so that it is not necessary toplace the entire system out of commission. If for in stance, the conductor 1 is broken as at G, H

in the room E, plugs are inserted in the ap erture 13 and 15, on the switchboard S,, so that the circuits connecting room E are broken as is shown by the following connections: from the positive side of the battery B,, the conductor 1, branch 17, conductor 18, conductor 1, branch 19, plug 15, conductor 20', conductor .1 and back to the negative terminal of the battery 1. This leaves the cir-' cuit connected t'o rooms D, and F in operabattery 13,.

tive condition. If the looped circuit 2-2.

tact aperture 14 and 16, of the switch board S and the following circuit is thrown out of operation for repairs ;from the positive terminal of the battery 13,, theconductor 2, conductor 18, plug 14, conductor 19, conductor 2, branch 20, plug 16, conductor 21, conductor 2, and back to the negative side of the It is obvious, from the above, that the circuits connecting either or all of the rooms D, E, and F, may be controlled from the switch boards.

In the modification, Fig. 4, the system as disclosed in Fig. 3 is supplemented by the addition of fire extinguishing devices or sprinklers,'and, for the sake of simplicity, connections for two rooms only are shown. The sprinklers, preferably of the fusible type, are connected to the electro-mechanically actuated valves V, and V which are disposed in the circuits controlled by the thermometeis. For illustration, if the circuit is closed at either of the thermometers in the room D, the relay R, is energized and by means of the control conductor 20, the

drop D is 'actuated and simultaneously the valve V, is actuated, and furthermore the alarm bell A will ring. This circuit extends from the positive terminal of'the battery 13,, conductor 12, relay contact R armature of the relay 1%,, conductor 12, valve V,, and back to the negative terminal of the battery 13,, at the same time the following circuit is completed :from. thepositive terminal of the battery 13,, conductor 12, relay armature R conductor 20, drop D, conductor 11', alarm bell A, conductor 11, and back to the negative terminal side of the battery 4. In

this instance if the sprinklersmonnected to the valve V, are of the open type, water will continue to flow therethrough until the temperature is lowered and the circuits are returned to their normal condition, and when such condition is reached the valve V, is closed automatically, the drop D is automatically restored and the alarm bell ceases to ring. The same operation occurs when the temperature increases in any of the other rooms.

In the modification, Fig. 5, a special safety connection is provided to protect the alarm thermometers against accidental overheating. In each of the rooms having two .or more ofthese thermometers or in adjacent rooms, double relays X and X are provided, the magnets of which are connected in parallel to each other, and each of the magnets are connected to two ofthe thermomebers which actuate the sprinklers. These relays X and X are actuated only when'the temperature has risen to po1nt of contact in'the two thermometers to whlch each of the magnets ofthe double relay are connected. An illustration of the operation, is shown, by the following circuit which is established should a fire occur in the room 1) near the alarm thermometer M :-Current flows from the positive terminal of the battery B conductor 2, positive pole of battery B conductor 1, relay R alarm thermometer M conductor 2, and back to the negative terminal of the battery 13,. The relay R, attracts its armature and will complete the following circuit :-Current flows from the positive terminal of the battery B conductor 11, alarm bell A, conductor 11, drop I), conductor 13, connector let of the relay armature R, and R armature contact of relay R conductor 12, and back to the negative terminal of the battery 13,. The alarm A will ring and the drop D will be actuated. The valves and sprinkling devices, however, will not be actuated, due to the fact that there is no danger done as long as the thermometer has only been heated by accident and therefore the alarm only, is operated in conjunction with the drop annunciator. the latter indicating the point of disturbance, but it the rise of temperature is caused by fire, the heat will act upon the thermometers M at the same time as upon the thermometer M,, and will close the circuit through the relay which will be energized and will attract its armature which closes the circuit controlling the valve V The latter circuit being as follows :Cur-

rent from the positive terminal of the battery B, will flow through conductors l7, branch 18, contact 19", conductor 20, contact 19, conductor 9-1, valve V,. and back to the negativeterminal of the battery The valve V, will be actuated and will supply the sprinklers V with water.

Having thus described the invention and its several modifications, what is claimed as new is 1. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers interposed in parallel relation between one side of each of said circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits. means controlled by each of said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, and means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing: one of said alarm circuits. should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened.

2. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers connected in parallel between one side of each of said circuits, means interposed in said circuits for indicatingoperative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated and means controlled by said first-mentionedcircuit for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits he accidentally opened.

3. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers adapted to connect one side of each of said circuits, means in terpcsed in said circuits for indicating operative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and means for controlling one of said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said first mentioned circuits. I

4:. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers, adapted to connect one side of each of said circuits, means for adjusting said thermal circuit closers to operate at either of two desired degrees of temperature, means interposed in said closed circuits for indicating the operative conditions of the said circuits, a pair of normally opened alarm circuits. means controlled by said first mentioned circuits, for closing one of said alarm circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated. means controlled by said first mentioned circuits, for closing one of said removed from the point of connection from one of said closed circuits, means interposed in one of said closed circuits whereby to open said circuit and adapted to connect in said supplemental circuit, means interposed in said closed circuits for indicating operative condition of said circuit, a pair of normally opened alarm circuits, means controlled by said first mentioned-circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and manually operated means for controlling one of said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of saidfirst mentioned circuits.

thermal circuit closers interposed in parallel relation between one side of each of said circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, a relay controlled by each of said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, and means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened.

7. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers interposed in parallel relation between one side ofeach of said circuits, :1. pair of normally open alarm circuits, a relay controlled by each of said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, and relays controlled, by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened.

8. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers connected in parallel between one side of each of said circuits, galvanoscopes interposed in said Cir: cuits for indicating operative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits closing one of said alarmcircuits whensaid thermal circuit closers are actuated, and means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened.

9. A fire alarm system coniprisinga pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers connected in parallel between one side of each of said circuits, galvanoscopes interposed in said circuits for indicating operative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, a relay controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, and relays controlled by said first mentioned. circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits b opened.

10. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers adapted to connect one side of each of said circuits, galvanoscopes interposed in said circuits for indicating operative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, a reaccidentally iiii lay controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuit closers are actuated, relays controlled by said first mentioned circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and means for controlling one of said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said first mentioned circuits. v

11. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers adapted to connect one side of each of said circuits, galvanoscopes interposed in said circuits for indicating operative condition of the circuits, a pair of normally open alarm circuits, a relay controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when said thermal circuits closers are actuated, relays controlled by said first mentioned circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits he accidentally opened, and a key for controlling one of said last mentioned circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said first mentioned circuits.

12. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers, adapted to connect one side of each of said closed circuits, a supplemental circuit having one of its sides connected to said circuit closers at a point removed from the point of connection from one of said closed circuits, a switch interposed in one of said closed circuits whereby to open said circuit and adapted to connect said supplemental circuit, means interposed in said closed circuits for indicating operative condition of said circuit, a pair of normally opened alarm circuits means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing-one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and manually operated means for controlling one of. said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said first mentioned circuits.

13. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers, adapted to connect one side of each of said closed circuits, a supplemental circuit having one of its sides connected to said circuit closers at a polnt removed from the point of connection from .one of said closed circuits, a switch interposed in one of said closed circuits whereby to open said circuit and adapted to connect in.-said supplemental circuit, alvanoscopes interposed in said closed circuits for ind cating operative condition of said circuit, a

pair of normally opened alarm circuits, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits he accidentally opened, and manually operated means for controlling one of said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said'first mentioned circuits.

14:. A fire alarm system comprising a pair of normally closed circuits, a plurality of thermal circuit closers, adapted to connect one side of each of said closed circuits, a supplemental circuit having one of its sides connected to said circuit closers at a point removed from the point of connection from one of said closed circuits, means interposed in one of said closed circuits whereby to open said circuit and adapted to connect in said supplemental circuit, galvanoscopes interposed in said closed circuits for indicating operative condition of said circuits, a pair of normally opened alarm circuits, a relay controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm-circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated, means controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of said alarm circuits should either of said first -mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and manually operated means for controlling one of said alarm circuits. irreone of said closed circuits, a switch interposed in one of said closed circuits whereby to open said circuit and adapted to connect i in said supplemental circuit,-galvanoscopes interposed in said closed circuits for indicating operative condition of said circuit, a

pair of. normally opened alarm circuits, a relay controlled by sald first mentioned c rcuits for closing one of said alarm circuits when either or all of said thermal circuit closers are actuated,relays controlled by said first mentioned circuits for closing one of, said alarm circuits should either of said first mentioned circuits be accidentally opened, and a manually operated means for controlling one of said alarm circuits irrespective of the normal or abnormal condition of said first mentioned circuits.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' OTTO RENNERT.

I Witnesses:

A. V. W. CO'ITER, 'MATHILDE R. HELD.

to connect 40 

